English Reference

Word

webster

Phoneticsweb·ster

/ˈwɛbstɝ/

Definition

n. a person who is very good at using words or writing dictionaries. You might call a friend this if they always know the exact right word to use.

n. a person skilled in lexicography or possessing an exceptionally large vocabulary. Often used as a humorous or lighthearted nickname for someone who corrects others' grammar or word choices.

Examples

“Ask Sarah for the definition; she is a real Webster.”

“Since he started reading the dictionary for fun, his friends have started calling him Webster.”

“While he lacked a formal degree in linguistics, his meticulous attention to etymology earned him the playful title of Webster among his editorial colleagues.”

Examples

simple

“Ask Sarah for the definition; she is a real Webster.”

contextual

“Since he started reading the dictionary for fun, his friends have started calling him Webster.”

complex

“While he lacked a formal degree in linguistics, his meticulous attention to etymology earned him the playful title of Webster among his editorial colleagues.”

Usage

Often used as a proper noun or a common noun to personify the dictionary; frequently used with the indefinite article 'a'.

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

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